Read More

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell spoke recently of “significant” problems at the SFA in light of their botched search for a new manager, the timing of the South American tour and the departure of Stewart Regan.

Lawwell is one of the agitators for change and recently told the BBC: “There should be a restructuring, re-organising that allows the SFA to be fit for that purpose.”

Peat, who stepped down as president in 2011, fears the motives of leading clubs if they are allowed absolute power to influence the game.

He has welcomed further talks on some of the major issues, including pooled commercial interests on Hampden’s sixth floor and a collective broadcast deal, but has defended the SFA’s role as an honest broker for all areas of the game.

He said: “The reports are interesting and the first comment I’d make is we need an SFA or we would not have membership of UEFA or FIFA which would mean no route to the World Cup or European Championship.

The warning came as the SFA considers Hampden switch (Image: SNS Group)

“I don’t see what’s hugely wrong with the present system, although there is clearly a difficulty with the people in charge not being trusted by some of the major players in the game.

“There’s something wrong if leading members are being critical of the chief executive and other office-bearers but that’s not good enough reason to change the entire system. It would make more sense to change the personnel and bring in people at the top who are more respected.

“I would not go along with one organisation being in charge of the game. I remember when the big clubs broke away to form the SPL and promised to disperse more money to make the game more competitive. That clearly did not happen.”

Television deals are worth around £20million a year to the SPFL and £15m a year to the SFA for internationals and Scottish Cup matches.

The SFA deal expires at the end of the season and the SPFL are in talks for renewal in 2020, when league reconstruction may be factored in to make it more attractive to TV firms.

However, broadcast sources have dismissed claims an exclusive deal across club and international fixtures is likely.

The SFA’s failure to re-negotiate their lucrative sponsorship deals – William Hill end their link with the Scottish Cup in 2020 – is also making Premiership bosses antsy.

Peat added: “It makes sense for both organisations to share commercial interests so long as a fair split of the proceeds is agreed. As president of the SFA, the SPL were always coming to us and asking for more money. Our reply was always if their commercial department were doing its job better they wouldn’t need to ask.

“Don’t forget it’s not so long ago the SPFL were struggling to attract a title sponsor for the league until Ladbrokes stepped in.

“I was involved in pulling together a record television deal for the SFA, up 83 per cent on the previous deal. It went to our board for a vote and passed 10 to one. The only person not to vote in favour? The chairman of the SPL. His opinion was, ‘If you’re going to get it all how is that going to affect us?’ He was acting on behalf of the SPL not for the SFA.

“I wouldn’t put an argument up against the need for Scottish football to attract sponsors across the board but my fear is this is a move by the big boys to take the lot of it over.

“It has been a desire of the bigger clubs for a number of years to run the SFA and these moves appear designed to give more power to their elbow.

“Let’s not forget the SFA look after the interest of the whole game from juniors and juveniles to amateurs and schools. How many of the big boys are really interested in the recreational and grassroots level of the game?”

The SFA have long been seen as top heavy with staff and stuffed with blazers happy to go with the flow for a gin and tonic and a first-class seat on the flight on a summer tour with the Under-19s.

It’s another area leading clubs would like to study as they bid to form a working group to get their proposals into line over the next 18 months.

Peat said: “As president, Jack McGinn streamlined the SFA, bringing a number of the associations under the umbrella of juniors, amateurs, youth and schools. We continued that with the McLeish report, which saw the break-up of a committee structure in favour of boards who could make decisions on the day.

“What more can they streamline? It’s important to remember the SFA is an organisation of more than 100 full members, not just a body acting in the interests of 42.”